Lightning Returns to Sugarbush

07/29/2009

Sugarbush Resort to Again Host Downhill Mountain Bike Championship Series

Warren, VT- If you enjoy watching people imitate bolts of lightning, then Sugarbush Resort will be the place to be in August. The Warren, VT resort will host the Gravity East Downhill Race Series August 1-2 and some of the country’s best downhill mountain bikers will be competing for an $1,100 cash purse. This is the second year in a row Sugarbush has been a venue for the nationwide series.

'We are really psyched to be hosting the (Gravity East) Series again,' said Sugarbush’s adventure chief John Egan. 'The ‘Bush used to be a one of the hottest mountain bike destinations in the country and then we just dropped off the map. Having a race like the Gravity Series decide to have an event here two years in a row just shows that all of our hard work over the last three years is paying off.'

Sugarbush in the 1990s used to be a regular stop for premiere mountain bike races. But towards the end of that decade, previous ownership let the trails fall into a state of disrepair. Upon acquiring the resort in 2001, Summit Ventures made returning summer activities to Sugarbush one if its priorities. The legendary mountain bike trails reopened in 2007. There are currently 18 miles of lift-served cross-country single track and downhill trails, as well as a freeride park that includes a pump track.

The Gravity East Series is the fastest growing mountain bike race in the country. The 11-event series had over 1000 competitors last year and registration is already up 22% this summer. There are 17 classes from amateurs to pro riders to a 14 and Under class. The 2009 Gravity East Series is sanctioned by USA Cycling and the Sugarbush race is the seventh stop in the summer-long series.

Race check-in and practice runs will be held on Saturday with the race getting underway at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday at the resort’s Lincoln Peak.

For the latest Sugarbush information and a complete line-up of events visit the Events page.